The Sacramento Kings voided Chuck Hayes’ $21.3 million, four-year contract Monday, saying the forward-center failed a physical that forced his release.

Kings general manager Geoff Petrie said in a statement Monday that informing Hayes his deal had been voided was “one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life.” He said Hayes asked the team to refrain from any further comment.

The team announced last week that a heart exam on the new Kings big man showed an abnormality that would require further testing. That came days after the former Houston Rockets forward-center signed a contract with Sacramento.

Hayes, 28, averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17 minutes per game in six seasons with the Rockets. He was held out of the team’s exhibition opener at Golden State on Saturday night.

Hayes’ situation is the second time in the past week that a medical exam on an NBA player revealed cause for concern.

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will have surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and will miss the entire season. Green was scheduled for an operation on Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors told him the operation “should completely repair Green’s condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season,” the Celtics said in a news release Saturday.

Hayes’ release leaves a void in Sacramento’s starting lineup and opens the possibility of a return by Samuel Dalembert, a free-agent

center who played with the Kings last season.

Knicks: Baron Davis said his desire to play in New York outweighed the chance to play with Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

The veteran point guard signed with the Knicks on Monday, passing up a chance to join stronger teams because he said he always saw himself playing at Madison Square Garden.

“I always kind of rise to the occasion when I’m playing against the Knicks and playing in the Garden,” said Davis, who talked with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat before deciding to join the Knicks. “It’s just an unbelievable opportunity.”

Davis has a herniated disc in his back that could keep him out eight to 10 weeks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers waived Davis last week and designated him as their amnesty player so the $28 million he was owed over the remaining two years of his contract wouldn’t count against their salary cap figure. No team claimed him, so he was free to sign with anyone. He agreed to accept the veteran’s minimum salary, worth about $1.4 million, from the Knicks.

The Sacramento Kings voided Chuck Hayes’ $21.3 million, four-year contract Monday, saying the forward-center failed a physical that forced his release.

Kings general manager Geoff Petrie said in a statement Monday that informing Hayes his deal had been voided was “one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life.” He said Hayes asked the team to refrain from any further comment.

The team announced last week that a heart exam on the new Kings big man showed an abnormality that would require further testing. That came days after the former Houston Rockets forward-center signed a contract with Sacramento.

Hayes, 28, averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17 minutes per game in six seasons with the Rockets. He was held out of the team’s exhibition opener at Golden State on Saturday night.

Hayes’ situation is the second time in the past week that a medical exam on an NBA player revealed cause for concern.

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will have surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and will miss the entire season. Green was scheduled for an operation on Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors told him the operation “should completely repair Green’s condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season,” the Celtics said in a news release Saturday.

Hayes’ release leaves a void in Sacramento’s starting lineup and opens the possibility of a return by Samuel Dalembert, a free-agent

center who played with the Kings last season.

Knicks: Baron Davis said his desire to play in New York outweighed the chance to play with Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

The veteran point guard signed with the Knicks on Monday, passing up a chance to join stronger teams because he said he always saw himself playing at Madison Square Garden.

“I always kind of rise to the occasion when I’m playing against the Knicks and playing in the Garden,” said Davis, who talked with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat before deciding to join the Knicks. “It’s just an unbelievable opportunity.”

Davis has a herniated disc in his back that could keep him out eight to 10 weeks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers waived Davis last week and designated him as their amnesty player so the $28 million he was owed over the remaining two years of his contract wouldn’t count against their salary cap figure. No team claimed him, so he was free to sign with anyone. He agreed to accept the veteran’s minimum salary, worth about $1.4 million, from the Knicks.